LUFC Lonergan - Win could be massive turning point

Leeds United goalkeeper Andy Lonergan is hoping the dramatic late win against Burnley on Monday could be the turning point in the season.

Leeds had slipped out of the play off places in December following one win in five games, including three straight defeats going into the game with Burnley.

The last of these at Barnsley on New Year`s Day saw Leeds lose heavily 4-1 and Lonergan says there were a lot of things said in a meeting after the game.

Speaking in the Yorkshire Evening Post, Lonergan said, "The expectations here are massive. We had a meeting after the Barnsley game and came back to the training ground on New Year`s Eve and didn`t leave until late.
"A few things were said, which you need and it was good to get it out. We all know what we need to do. It was probably one of the worst performances I`ve ever been involved in. I had some battering`s as well last season at Preston, but with the amount of people who went to watch us (at Barnsley), you just felt like you had really let them down."

Leeds bounced back from the Barnsley defeat with the late win over Burnley at Elland Road on Monday.

Ten man Burnley looked to be leaving Elland Road with all three points when Charlie Austin fired them ahead with just twenty minutes remaining.

This was despite being reduced to ten men after thirty minutes when Kieran Trippier was sent off for two bookable offences.

Leeds drew level on 88 minutes when Burnley defender Brian Easton put through his own goal.

Ross McCormack then brought the roof of Elland Road when he was on hand to score the winner seven minutes into stoppage time and Burnley keeper Lee Grant could not hold a long-range effort from Andros Townsend.

Lonergan is now hoping the side can put the defeat at Barnsley firmly behind them after beating Burnley on Monday and he is hoping the win could be a massive turning point for Leeds in the second half of the season.

"I know Barnsley wasn`t a great result and it was a horrible feeling for everyone that went and those who played, but there`s always another game. The Burnley match could be a massive, massive turning point," continued Lonergan.

Despite the poor run of results in December, Leeds are in eight place, just one point outside the play offs and just nine points behind table toppers Southampton.

The tight nature of this division though means Leeds have a whole host of clubs still chasing a play-off place with only six points separating sixth and sixteenth place.

Leeds can now put the championship on hold for a week, as they get ready for their FA Cup tie at Arsenal on Monday.






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